Journalists who took to Kapchworwa, a district in Eastern Uganda, to cover athletics coach Peter Wemali’s case of alleged rape were stung by bees, just after police who had embattled coach Peter Wemali in custody survived an accident on road.
The embattled coach who has been linked to strong black magic was remanded last Thursday and it is believed his powers were at work prior the court session that saw him remanded to Kapchorwa Prison until April 30 when his case comes up for further mention.
Police took Coach Peter Wemali to Kapchorwa Magistrate’s court amid tight security after Police arrested him last week for exually assaulting female runners before last year’s Africa Cross Country Championships that were held in Uganda.
On their way to court in Kapchorwa, Police officers who were with Wemali in a patrol survived a severe accident on Northern Bypass, a major road close to the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda’s capital.
The police pick-up car was knocked by a trailer and luckily none of the police officers suffered injuries. The driver of the trailer got arrested and according to James Ruhweza, the Sipi Regional Police Commander, who confirmed to Daily Monitor the accident, the trailer was also impounded and parked at Lugazi Police Station.
Journalists were next to also suffer the scares as they waited with hundreds of people in Kapchorwa. While camping at Sipi Region police headquarters, the journalists were attacked by a swarm of bees only to scatter for dear life.
Lawrence Mwangusyo, the chief editor of Sabiny Today, a local newspaper, and David Awori, the NTV Busia correspondent, suffered severe injuries after the swarm of bees went head straight into their direction.
The duo were forced to seek medical attention at a local clinic in Kapchorwa town before resuming their duties for the day.
Wemali, who underwent mental and HIV/Aids check-ups conducted by the Police surgeon in Mbale, recorded a charge and caution statement despite taking more than an hour after initially insisting not to record one.
The coach also requested for a toilet break, causing further delays.
Residents of Kapchorwa were happy for the arrest and court proceedings against Peter Wemali. David Kiprono, a Kapchorwa resident castigated Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), sheilding Wemali who has “harassed” young runners for many years.
“He came here from Kenya claiming to be a fortune teller, a pastor and a healer. I wonder how a witchdoctor ended up becoming a national coach,” Kiprono told Monitor. “Let justice take its course. Whoever commits crime should face the law.”
Grace Chesanga, a 50-year-old mother, also said: “These young runners are a source of income and hope to their families. They are the pride of this country but this man is ruining their future. We as parents were wondering why Wemali had not been arrested He deserves life imprisonment.”
Ugandan athlete and last year’s commonwealth gold medalist Moses Kipsiro could be glad justice is taking its course after the girls who were reportedly assaulted by Wemali confided in him.
Wemali who advised them to get pregnant and abort after three months in order to run better had indoctrinated the girls with his draconian theory that the abortion would “widen their private parts so their legs move more freely” and run faster than the Kenyans.
Shocked Kipsiro revealed to media, how Wemali was harassing the athletes only to receive death threats. He was consequently forced to pull out of the contingent that traveled to Guiyang, China for the World Cross Country Championships.
A few days after abandoning the international event, Wemali’s house was burnt. Simon Ayeko also an athlete and cousin to Kipsiro got arrested.
The coach accused the duo of having connived to commit the crime but Ayeko was three days later released on Police bond claiming he was innocent.
Kipsiro since gained support of fellow athlete, World and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich who advised the Uganda Athletics Federation to get rid of the coach.
General Aronda sets up task force to probe Death threats to Kipsiro
In other developments, General Aronda Nyakairima, the the Hon. Minister for Internal Affairs of Uganda on thursday set up a task team to probe the allegations of death threats by SMS against Moses Kipsiro.
The team that comprises of experts from ICT, Criminal investigations and Intelligence Directorate (CIID), Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), and Police Headquarters is headed by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ochom Edward, commenced investigations that are expected to be completed within four (4) weeks.
According to a statement released by Police Press and Public Relations Officer, Fred Enanga, “an investigative report supporting their findings and recommendations will be submitted respectively.”
Police also cautioned the public that “any threat to a person’s life in whatever form is punishable by law”.
